What does gentrify mean?
Gentrify is a verb that refers to the process of renovating and improving a house or neighborhood, often by making it more attractive and expensive. This can lead to a surge in new businesses and restaurants, but also a loss of affordable housing. The term is often associated with urban development and the displacement of long-time residents. Gentrification can have both positive and negative effects on a community, and its impact is often debated among urban planners and policymakers. The word gentrify is often used in the context of urban development and real estate, and is commonly used in news articles and academic studies.
verbTo renovate and improve a house or neighborhood, often by gentrifying it, making it more attractive and expensive, and often displacing long-time residents.
- 1. To renovate and improve a house or neighborhood, often by gentrifying it, making it more attractive and expensive, and often displacing long-time residents.
"The city's gentrification has led to a surge in new businesses and restaurants, but also a loss of affordable housing."
"The city's gentrification has led to a surge in new businesses and restaurants, but also a loss of affordable housing."
"The neighborhood is undergoing gentrification, with new coffee shops and boutiques opening up."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gentrify
The word gentrify is derived from the term 'gentleman', and was first used in the 1960s to describe the process of renovating and improving a house or neighborhood. The term is often associated with the work of sociologist Ruth Glass, who first used the term in her 1964 book 'London: Aspects of Change'.
Usage notes
The term gentrify is often used in the context of urban development and real estate, and is commonly used in news articles and academic studies. It is often associated with the displacement of long-time residents and the loss of affordable housing. The term can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context in which it is used.